Preformed plug-tire repair

ABSTRACT

A repaired elastomer article has a hollow in a non-reinforced portion of the article. A cured preformed plug resides within the hollow and is adhered to the article through an amine curable polymer or prepolymer. The amine polymer or prepolymer is curable at ambient temperature. The preformed plug is made of a material which is compatible with the elastomer of the article. The preformed plug material desirably has a lower modulus than the elastomer of the article and hence exhibits good physical properties such as enhanced longevity of the repair, good wear and the like. Since the amine curable polymer or prepolymer cures at ambient temperatures, the repair of the elastomer article can occur in situ. The invention is especially useful in the repair of tires.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.No. 718,666 filed Apr. 1, 1985, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,519, issued Oct.21, 1986 for "Tire Repair By "Patch Only" Method", which in turn is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 584,426, filed Feb.28, 1984, now abandoned. This application is also a continuation-in-partapplication of U.S. Ser. No. 767,998 filed Apr. 21, 1985 which in turnis a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 584,426, filed Feb. 28,1984 now abandoned.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an article and to a method for therepair of elastomeric articles having a hollow therein such as a gouge,an opening or the like. More specifically, the present invention relatesto the repair of said hollow through the use of a cured preformed plugand an amine curable polymer or prepolymer at ambient temperatures.

BACKGROUND ART

Heretofore, elastomer articles such as tires having a hollow thereinhave been reparied by adding a material to the hollow and curing thesame in the presence of heat. Inasmuch as heat was required, properequipment was necessary and hence the article had to be repaired in aretread or a repair facility.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,755,261 to VanGulick; 3,888,831 to Kogan; 3,834,934 toBroisman; 3,644,256 also to Broisman; and 3,718,587 to Bhakuni relate toamine curable curing agents, amine curable polymers, or R.F.L. typeadhesives. However, these patents do not relate to the in situ repair ofa reinforced elastomer article utilizing a cured preformed plug.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,779,794 to DeSantis relates to a moisture-curablepolyurethane sealant primer system, whereas U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,283 toDenOtter relates to flame retardants utilized in cyanuric acidderivatives.

Product No. PS-2682-71 of the Hughson Chemical Division, LordCorporation, relates to a surface primer for elastomeric substancesutilizing a proprietary compound thought to be mono- ordi-chloroisocyanuric acid.

An article entitled "Room Temperature Vulcanizing Adhesive Based onEthylene-Propylene-Diene Terpolymer," Cantor, Uniroyal, Paper No. 18,presented to the Division of Rubber Chemistry of the American ChemicalSociety, Denver, Col. Oct. 10, 1973, relates to various oxidants whicheffect ambient temperature cures of E.P.D.M.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,219 to Odam relates to a polyurethane paint which isapplied to vulcanized rubbers.

British Pat. No. 1,352,645 relates to a polyurethane paint which isapplied to vulcanized rubbers.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,522 to Becker relates to a polyurethane adhesive.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,530 to Cutts relates to triazoline diones which areutilized in lieu of chlorinated or halogenated donors for treatingelastomeric surfaces to improve adhesion.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,143,156 to Fagert relates to utilizing a non-fully curedplug to repair an aperture extending entirely through a tire.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,454 to Utsonomiya relates to a method of attachingconnecting parts of an offshore structure wherein a liquid rubber isapplied over a treating solution which can contain a halogen molecule.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,378 to Pearson relates to a cured rubber tire havinga specific polyurethane therein and to a chlorine water treatment step.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,255 to Blaskjiewicz relates to the adhesion of apolyurethane to an EPDM surface utilizing various adhesives.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,970 to Honda relates to a method of bondingvulcanized rubber to resin.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,852 to Gomberg relates only to the use of acyanoacrylate adhesive.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,704 to Williams relates to applying tire tread to atire.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,327,138 and 4,399,852 to Hausch relate to a compositionand process for applying and bonding a curable polymer or prepolymer atambient temperature to the surface of a cured elastomer substrate.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,401,145 and 4,311,181 to Hausch relate to theapplication to an indicia.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,434,832 to Koch and Barbin, 4,485,135 to Koch, and4,485,136 to Koch and Hausch relate to ambient temperature cure ofelastomers having a hollow therein as well to the utilization of apatch.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,465,535 to Koch, Fieldhouse and Oziomek relates to theuse of a specific solvent, 1,4-dichloroethane, utilized in connectionwith a treating agent.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,456 to Hausch relates to the process and compositionfor repairing a hollow at ambient temperature in the surface of a curedelastomer substrate.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,427 to Hausch relates to the use of a polyisocyanateas a layer in repairing an elastomer article.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide a repairedreinforced elastomer article in which a hollow contains a curedelastomer plug therein.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a repairedreinforced elastomer article, as above, wherein the repair can be madein-situ and at ambient temperatures.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a repairedreinforced elastomer article, as above, wherein the elastomer plug ispreformed and is made of a material compatible with said elastomerarticle.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a repairedreinforced elastomer article, as above, wherein the hollow exists in anon-reinforced area of the elastomer article and an amine curablepolymer or prepolymer is utilized as an adhesive.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following specification.

In general, a repaired, reinforced elastomer article comprises theelastomer article, said article being cured and having a hollow therein,the treating agent, said treating agent coating said hollow; a curedelastomer plug, said cured elastomer plug residing within said hollow; achannel in said hollow, said channel existing between said plug and saidarticle; an amine curable polymer or prepolymer, said amine curablepolymer or prepolymer substantially filing said channel and, said aminecurable polymer or prepolymer cured to said elastomer plug and to saidarticle at ambient temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the attached drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing the repair of a reinforcedelastomer article having a crack/cut extending completely therethrough.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a reinforced elastomer having afilled cavity as well as a cured patch thereover on the interior side ofthe elastomer article.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a reinforced elastomer articlehaving a preformed plug in a hollow portion of the elastomer article.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a reinforced elastomer articlehaving a preformed plug in a hollow portion of the elastomer articlewherein the preformed plug extends into the reinforcement area.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a reinforced elastomer articlehaving a preformed plug in a hollow portion of the elastomer articlewherein the preformed plug extends substantially into the reinforcementarea and a patch located on the interior portion of the article.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a reinforced elastomer articlehaving a preformed plug in a hollow portion of the elastomer articlewherein the hollow extends through the article and a patch is located onthe interior portion of the article.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A reinforced elastomer article having a crack or cut therein, that is acrack/cut, is repaired by utilizing a cured elastomer patch preferablyhaving cords therein. The patch is used to repair the crack/cut whichgenerally extends through the elastomer article. The patch is generallyapplied on the non-initially cut or internal side of the article and thecut itself, if an opening exists, generally need not be filled. Portion15 of the article is shown having a cut or crack therein. For thepurposes of the present invention, the cut or crack (crack/cut)generally extends through the entire article such that it is in need ofrepair. Article 10, such as a tire, conveyor belt or the like, generallyhas reinforcement therein such as in the form of cords 18. When crack 16extends through the article having a pressurized gas therein, such as atire, the article will gradually lose pressure unless the loss of gas isstopped. The loss of air pressure in a tire naturally makes itunsuitable for use.

The crack/cut can be caused by a number of items such as nails, bolts,screws, metal objects, rocks, spikes, equipment, and the like. Theinvention is ideally suited for large off-the-road tires although it canalso be applied to normal passenger car tires, truck tires, conveyorbelts, and the like.

In order to repair the elastomer article, the interior side, or thatside of the article opposite the initial cut penetration, is preparedfor the application of the patch thereto. Such preparation generallyincludes removal of the tire innerliner layer as well as removal of oneor more layers located immediately thereunder. Since usually the cordsin the area of crack/cut are often damaged, they can be severed, outsideof the damaged area, and removed. Oftentime portions of two or more ofthe tire cord plies are removed. The remaining exposed area is thenbuffed via any conventional apparatus or treatment. It is then cleanedutilizing conventional solvents such as acetone, rubber solvent,trichlorethane, and the like. Treating agent 30 is then applied to thecleaned area and allowed to dry. An amine curable polymer or prepolymeris then applied thereover. A cured patch 20 having a layer of treatingagent 30 on one side thereof is then applied to the amine curablepolymer or prepolymer layer 40. The thickness of the amine curablepolymer or prepolymer 40 can vary but generally is between 1/6" to 1/8"thick and covers the area buffed out.

Upon cure, the repair obtained is usually equal to or stronger than thestrength of the original article. Moreover, should the cut be largeenough such that an opening exists on the exterior side, there isgenerally no need to fill said cut.

Another distinctive advantage of the present invention is that the aminecurable polymer cures at ambient temperature. Thus, the repair can bemade on the job site. That is, there is no need to take the tire or thearticle to the nearest retread shop or rubber repair shop which on someoccasions can be hundreds of miles away.

Considering now the article to be repaired, or substrate 15, it is acured rubber or elastomer, having unsaturated groups therein. Thesubstrate can be any conventional elastomer or rubber known to thoseskilled in the art. For example, it can be made from conjugated dieneshaving from 4 to 12 carbon atoms such as butadiene, isoprene, and thelike. It can also be made from natural rubber, that is from a substancewhich is obtained from various trees and plants which grow in thetropics or desert portions of the world. Such natural rubber generallyhas a content in excess of 90 and usually in excess of 95 percent ofcis-1,4-polyisoprene. The substrate can also be made from variouselastomeric copolymers such as those made from monomers of conjugateddienes having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, as set forth above, and vinylsubstituted aromatic compounds having from 8 to 15 carbon atoms.Examples of such vinyl substituted aromatic compounds include styrene,alpha-methylstyrene, and the like. An example of a specific copolymer isstyrene-butadiene rubber.

Naturally, other types of rubber compounds can be utilized such as theso-called butyl rubbers, neoprene, that is polychloroprene, and thelike, as well as blends of said above rubbers.

Suitable treating agents include the various N-halohydantoins, thevarious N-haloamides, the various N-haloimides, and combinationsthereof. Examples of various desirable N-halohydantoins include1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin; 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin;1,3-dichloro-5-methyl-5-isobutyl hydantoin; and1,3-dichloro-5-methyl-5-hexyl hydantoin. Examples of N-haloamidesinclude N-bromoacetamide and tetrachloroglycoluril. Examples ofN-haloimides include N-bromosuccinimide and the various chlorosubstituted s-triazinetriones, commonly known as mono-, di-, andtrichloroisocyanuric acid. A preferred treating composition for use inthe practice of the present invention are the various mono-, di-, ortrichloroisocyanuric acids, or combinations thereof.Trichloroisocyanuric acid is especially preferred.

The treating agents usually exist in solid form. They are readilysoluble in solvents such as acetone and the like and thus can be appliedin liquid form. Application of the treating agent generally occurs atambient temperatures. Application can occur through any conventionalmanner as through brushing, spraying, and the like. The amount appliedis such that the rubber substrate surface is coated. Preferably, two ormore coats of the treating agent or adhesive compound are used to ensurethat all the cured rubber substrate surface has been coated.

A typical amount of the treating agent in the suitable solvent, forexample ethyl acetate or acetone, is generally from about 0.1 to about10 percent by weight based upon the total weight of said treating agentand solvent, and preferably from about 0.5 percent to about 5 percent.Of course, higher or lower concentrations can be utilized. This solventsystem has been found to dry within a matter of minutes so that theamine curable polymer or prepolymer can be bonded to the treating agent.It is thought that the adhesive treating system adds halogen groups, forexample, chlorine to the cured rubber which activates the cured rubbersurface allowing the amine curable polymer or prepolymer system toadhere strongly to the cured rubber surface.

Of the various amine curable polymers or prepolymers, the urethanes arepreferred. Other prepolymers or polymers which can be cured with theamine curing agent include the compounds set forth in U.S. Pat. No.3,755,261 which is hereby fully incorporated by reference. Briefly, suchcompounds are the various epoxy resins such as those disclosed in the"Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology" IntersciencePublishers, New York (1967), Volume 6, pages 212-221; halogen-containinghydrocarbon chlorinated polyethylene and polypropylene; chlorosulfonatedpolymers such as those described in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,723,257;polymers containing acid halide groups such as ##STR1## and haloformategroups such as ##STR2## polymers containing anhydride groups which onreaction with diamines yield amide-acid linkages, andorgana-polysiloxanes as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,938,010.

The urethane prepolymers or polymers, that is, those which containisocyanate groups, are generally formed by first reacting a polyetherpolyol or a polyester polyol with a molar excess of a diisocyanate toform a prepolymer having terminal isocyanate groups. The polymer is thencured to increase its molecular weight from less than about 3,000upwards to over 10,000. Examples of such polymers are set forth in U.S.Pat. Nos. 2,620,516; 2,777,831; 2,843,568; 2,866,774; 2,900,368;2,929,800; 2,948,691; 2,948,707; and 3,114,735, all of which are herebyfully incorporated by reference. Typical specific examples of suchpolyurethanes include Adiprene L-367, polytetramethylene ether glycolcontaining approximately 6.4 percent isocyanate end groups by weight,manufactured by DuPont; Adiprene L-42, polytetramethylene ether glycolcontaining approximately 2.8 percent isocyanate end groups by weight,manufactured by DuPont; and Cyanaprene A-7, a polyester-based coatingpolymer with approximately 2.4 percent isocyanate end groups,manufactured by American Cyanamid. Blends of these polyurethanes canalso be utilized. Moreover, it has been found, particularly with repairor application of the amine curable polymer to the patch area, that isthe area between patch 20 and cured substrate 11, better adhesion isoften obtained by utilizing two different types of urethane. Forexample, a urethane containing a high amount by weight of isocyanate endgroups such as Adiprene L-367 can be blended with a urethane containinga low amount by weight of isocyanate end groups such as Adiprene L-42.The amount of one urethane to the other can range from about 1 to about99 percent and desirably from about 30 to about 70 percent by weight.

To the amine curable prepolymer or polymer compound is added aconventional amine curing agent, known to those skilled in the art.Generally, any conventional or known amine curing agent can be used and,hence, only a few specific examples will be given. Thus, the curingagent can be MOCA, that is 4,4'-methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) or,desirably a complex of 4,4'-methylene dianiline and a salt, or a complexof racemic 2,3-di-(4-aminophenyl) butane and a salt, as set forth inU.S. Pat. No. 3,755,261 to Van Gulick which is hereby fully incorporatedby reference. The latter two complexes are preferred. The methods forpreparing the complexes are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,261. Apreferred salt utilized with the 4,4'-methylene dianiline compound issodium chloride or lithium chloride. Due generally to availability andcost, the complexes or salts derived from 4,4'-methylene dianiline arehighly preferred. Another class of amine curing agents which can beutilized are the various Versamides, that is the condensation productsof polyamines and dibasic acids obtained when certain unsaturated fattyacids are polymerized, and are manufactured by Henkel Chemical Company.

The equivalent weight of the curing agent utilized with regard to thecurable prepolymer or polymer generally ranges from about 85 percent to115 percent with from about 95 to 105 percent being preferred.

Often to facilitate processing, the curing agent, and especially anamine curing agent such as the complex of 4,4'-methylene dianiline and asalt is utilized with a plasticizer such as dioctylphthalate on a 50percent weight basis, or Flexol 4GO, tetraethylene glycol bis(2-ethylhexanoate) manufactured by Union Carbide Corporation on a 50 percentweight basis. The amount of plasticizer can range from about 20 percentto about 60 percent.

The curing agent is blended with the prepolymer or polymers in variousmixers such as dough mixers, high speed impellers, paddle-type mixers,and the like. Small batches can be mixed by stirring with a spatula.Usually, the prepolymer or polymer is a liquid. If not, when mixed withthe polar solvent, a liquid mixture results. However, even if a solidcuring agent is used, when added to the prepolymer or the polymer, andto a solvent system, a liquid system results even though the curingagent (e.g., amine) can be in the form of a dispersion. Thus, eventhough the system may contain solids therein, the solids exist in theform of a dispersion so that a liquid system is produced.

The curing agent and the amine curable polymers or prepolymers form thecurable polymer system which is mixed with a polar solvent so that aliquid system is obtained which cures at ambient or room temperature,that is, the prevailing temperature as from about 10° C. to 50° C. Oftenthe ambient temperature will range from about 15° C. to about 35° C. or40° C. The polar solvents which can be utilized, especially with theamine curing agent and the amine polymers or prepolymers are, forexample set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,831 to Kogon which is herebyfully incorporated by reference. Generally, the amount of solventutilized per 100 parts by weight of the curable prepolymer or polymerranges from about 2 to about 40, desirably from about 2 to about 20, andpreferably from about 5 to about 15 parts by weight. Specific examplesof preferred solvents include dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran,cyclohexanone, ethyl acetate, nitromethane, nitroethane, nitropropane,methyl ethyl ketone, and acetone. Acetone and methyl ethyl ketone arehighly preferred. The amount of curing agent, based upon said polymer orprepolymer, ranges from about 0.85 to about 1.15 equivalents.

Considering patch 20, it can generally be of any desired size so long asit adequately covers the surface area of the aperture. Generally, anappropriate patch size will be known to one skilled in the art of patchconstruction and/or patch application. The patch is made of rubber andis generally fully cured. Although cured natural rubber of compositioncontaining at least 80 percent by weight of natural rubber is oftenpreferred, any conventional type of cured rubber compound can beutilized. Thus, the patch can be made from a conjugated diene havingfrom 4 to 12 carbon atoms, copolymers made from conjugated dienes havingfrom 4 to 12 carbon atoms with vinyl substituted aromatics having from 8to 15 carbon atoms, for example styrene butadiene rubber, and the like.In essence, the patch can be made out of the same type of rubber as thesubstrate. Often, the patch will have a cushioned layer thereon toalleviate stresses formed between the tire carcass and tire patch.However, this is not always necessary.

Since in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the substratehas cords therein, desirably the patch also has cords therein. Morespecifically, whenever approximately 25 percent to about 50 percent ofthe cords are damaged, severed, broken, etc., the strength of the cordsin the patch is approximately equal to the strength of the total cordsin the article before any injury thereto. However, should approximately50 percent to 100 percent of all cords by damaged, severed, or otherwiseinjured, the strength of the cords in the patch is equal to the strengthof the total cords in the article before injury thereto. Should thenumber of damaged cords in the article be less than approximately 25percent, then, the strength of the remaining cords is usually adequatesuch that a reinforced patch need not be utilized. The cords in thepatch can be made of polyester, nylon, steel, rayon and the like, withnylon being preferred.

The area around the cut or crack is buffed and cleaned as set forthabove. Treating agent 30 is applied and then the amine curable polymeror prepolymer is applied. Treating agent 30 is also applied to one sideof the patch. The ends of the patch can be taped to the substrate orheld in place with a curing tube located inside the tire. The number ofcords of the patch is as previously set forth. While the patch is heldin place, the amide curable polymer or prepolymer cures at ambienttemperatures.

In forming the amine curable polymer system, generally the amine curablepolymer or prepolymer is mixed with the polar solvent and then thecuring agent is added last. During cure, an effective and strong bond isformed between the prepolymer or polymer system and the treatedelastomer substrate. Since the present invention relates to ambienttemperature cure, repair of large and cumbersome articles such asoff-the-road tires, conveyor belts, and the like, can be made in situ.In other words, the repair can be made at the job site. The onlyaccessory which may be required is a pneumatic bladder, although a sandbag can be used. In extreme cold weather it is desirable to bring thedamaged area of the tire, through the use of heating pads, up to ambienttemperature. Since the cure is ambient, no steam chambers, or othervulcanizable tire repair equipment are required. This, of course, alsoresults in an energy savings.

It is to be understood that various conventional additives inconventional amounts can be added to the amine curing agent andprepolymer systems such a colorants, softeners, fillers, antioxidants,plasticizers, and the like.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the followingrepresentative examples.

EXAMPLES

A tire which was determined to have an air leak was repaired inaccordance with the present invention as follows:

The interior portion of the tire at which the air leak was determinedwas thoroughly buffed utilizing an OTR buffing tool. In this manner, theinnerliner and the tiegum layer were removed down to the first body ply.Then, any damaged body cords were carefully removed. The buffed portionwas then cleaned by vacuuming out the last traces of any buffing dustand the like. Next the buffed area was thoroughly cleaned with acetoneon Rymplecoth. Generally, the area buffed and cleaned was about 12" to24" to 12" to 24", then, a patch of a size set forth in the table waslightly buffed and cleaned in the same manner. The treating agent wasapplied in several coats as a 3 percent solution oftrichloro-s-triazinetrione in ethyl acetate. This was allowed to dry.Then, the amine curable urethane system was applied which comprise thefollowing two components: "A" side, 150 gm Adiprene L-367, 150 gmAdiprene 42, 30 gr 4GO and 30 gm of acetone; "B" side, 73 gm Caytur 21.

The thoroughly mixed polyurethane was then coated on to the buffed areaof the tire and also to the reinforcing patch which was fully cured andcontained no uncured layer. The patch containing the urethane thereonwas applied to the buffed portion of the tire which has also previouslybeen treated with the treating agent. The patch was taped into place andfirmly held by inflating a curing tube inside the tire. After standingapproximately 16-18 hours at an ambient temperature, tape was removedand the tire was placed back into service. The following results wereobtained:

    ______________________________________                                                                 ORIGI-                                               TIRE  TIRE     PATCH     NAL    REPAIR RECENT                                 NO.   SIZE     SIZE      HOURS  HOURS  STATUS                                 ______________________________________                                        1     36.00 ×                                                                          12" × 12"                                                                         2606   1587   Worn Out                                     51                                                                      2     36.00 ×                                                                          12" × 12"                                                                         2763   984    Worn Out                                     51                                                                      3     36.00 ×                                                                          12" × 12"                                                                         2068   1371   Off, second                                  51                               rock cut in                                                                   the tire                               4     36.00 ×                                                                          12" × 12"                                                                          671   1647   Still in                                     51                               service                                5     36.00 ×                                                                          15" × 15"                                                                         2784   744    Off, second                                  51                               rock cut in                                                                   the tire                               6     36.00 ×                                                                          18" × 18"                                                                         1643   575    Off, patch                                   51                               failed                                 ______________________________________                                    

As readily apparent from the Table, patches were quite effective in thatin Tires #1 and #2, the tire actually wore out. The remaining tires arestill in service or have obtained a second rock cut or the patch failed(not the adhesive). With regard to Tire #6, it is noted that the firstrepair failed because of a weak patch. However, upon replacement with astronger patch, the performance of the repair improved.

From the above Table, it can been seen that a patch according to thepresent invention is very effective in repairing the tire as well assealing air leaks therein.

According to another concept of the present invention, an elastomerarticle is repaired by making a cavity in the vicinity of the interiorcrack or cut. The cavity is then filled with a suitable filler and apatch applied thereover.

Referring to FIG. 2, an elastomer article is generally disclosed by thenumeral 100. The elastomer is generally made from a conjugated diene, ora copolymer made from a conjugated diene and a vinyl substitutedaromatic as set forth hereinabove. The article can generally be anyreinforced elastomeric article such as a tire, a conveyor belt or thelike. The reinforcement is generally in the form of cords 118. A portion115 of the article is shown having a crack or cut 116 extendingtherethrough and the repair structure and method of the presentinvention generally relates to such an article.

According to the present invention, a cavity 150 is made in theelastomer from the interior side thereof in the vicinity of or in theinjured area. Although the area of the cavity generally is kept as smallas possible, it is important that any injury or damaged area, andespecially any damaged reinforcement cords, be removed. Inasmuch as thecrack/cut extends through article 110, usually some of the cords andoften most if not all of cords 118 will be damaged and hence should beremoved in the injured area. Removal can be through the use of anysuitable method such as skiving and the like. In skiving, generally avery sharp tool, for example having a tungsten carbide tip, is utilized.The depth of the cavity is usually into the reinforcement area and notbeyond. Thus, for a tire, the cavity will extend through the innerliner, through the tiegum layer which bonds the inner liner to thereinforcement area, and into the reinforcement area wherein any damagedreinforcement cords have been removed. Once the cavity has been made, itis desirable to clean it out through a suitable means such as a solvent,for example acetone, or the like. Since cracks or cuts have a variety ofsizes, the general diameter of the formed cavity will vary and in a tirecan be from about 1/2" to about 3". The depth of the cavity in a tiresuch as in a large off-the-road tire can extend up to approximately11/2". Of course, these figures can vary greatly depending upon the sizeof the tire, or other elastomer article.

After cavity 150 has been cleaned, filler 160 can be added thereto. Thefiller can be any suitable material which generally has some elasticitytherein. In other words, a material is preferred which has a modulussimiliar to the elastomer article. Other requisites of filler 160 isthat it adhere to the elastomer and also impart strength thereto.Examples of suitable fillers include gum rubber as set forth in U.S.Pat. No. 4,434,832, hereby fully incorporated by reference; variouspolymers such as amine curable polymers or prepolymers, amine curablecompositions having rubber particles therein and the like. Inasmuch asvarious polymers must be cured at elevated temperature, although theycan be utilized, they are not desired in the present invention. Desiredpolymers include the amine curable polymers and prepolymers inasmuch asthey are curable at ambient temperatures. Examples of suitable aminecurable polymers and prepolymers include those set forth hereinabovewhich are hereby fully incorporated by reference as well as the variousamine curable polymers and prepolymers set forth in U.S. Pat. No.4,485,135, also hereby fully incorporated by reference. A suitableamount of the polymer is added to fill the cavity. Although the crack orcut may be large enough such that an opening exists on the exterior sideof article 100, there is generally no need to fill said opening.

Optionally and preferably, before filler 160 is added to cavity 150, atreating agent is applied or coated on the surfaces thereof when thefiller is an amine curable polymer or prepolymer such as as apolyurethane. Otherwise, a treating agent is not desired. Treating agent130 can be applied in any manner as by brushing or the like and usuallyis dissolved in a solvent. Upon drying, it forms a coating which forms avery strong bond to the amine curable filler 160. In other words, theuse of treating agent 130 improves adhesion of the amine curable fillerto the elastomer article. Suitale types of treating agents are as setforth hereinabove such as the various N-halohydantoins, the variousN-haloamides, the various N-haloimides, and combinations thereof. Suchtreating agents are hereby fully incorporated by reference as well asare the various types and amounts of solvents utilized therewith. Asnoted above, the various mono-, di-, or trichloroisocyanuric acids, orcombinations thereof are preferred.

Once a cavity has been filled with filler 160, cured patch 120 can beapplied to the interior portion of the elastomer. However, the interiorsurface of the article surrounding the cavity is generally prepared asby cleaning, for example, by a mechanical means as by buffing, and/orwith a solvent. Treating agent 130, if desirable, is then applied to thearea surrounding the cavity and desirably to the filled cavity surfaceitself which generally is flush with the interior surface of theelastomer article. Treating agent 130 is the same type of agent asutilized to coat the inner surfaces of the cavity as immediately setforth above. The deposition of a layer of treating agent upon theinterior surface is desired so that a good bond is formed between thearticle and the amine curable polymer of prepolymer. The treating agentis also applied to cured patch 120 which is also prepared as by buffingand cleaning with a solvent.

The patch is generally of any desired size so long as it adequatelycovers the cavity as well as extends a sufficient distance thereabout.Generally, an appropriate size patch will be well known to one skilledin the art of patch construction and/or patch application. The patchtype as well as material and reinforcement therein is the same as setforth above and is hereby fully incorporated by reference. Essentially,the patch is made out of rubber and has cords therein. The number of thecords will generally vary with the number of cords in elastomer article100 which have been damaged and/or removed. The strength of the cordswithin the patch is generally as set forth hereinabove with regard toFIG. 1. For example, should approximately 50 percent to 100 percent ofall cords be severed or removed, the strength of the cords in the patchis generally equal to the strength of the total cords in the articlebefore any injury thereto. Also as noted above, the cords in the patchcan be made out of any suitable material such as polyester, nylon,steel, rayon, and the like with nylon being preferred.

The patch is then applied over the cavity area with the treating agentlayer residing on said cleaned patch surface facing the cavity orinterior portion of the elastomer. To form a good bond between the patchand the elastomer article, an amine curable polymer 140 is utilized.This amine curable polymer or prepolymer can be the same as utilized inthe cavity and is also the same as material 40 noted above with regardto FIG. 1. That is, the amine curable polymer or prepolymer is generallya urethane polymer or prepolymer having a molecular weight when cured inexcess of 10,000. Typical examples as previously noted can include thevarious polyurethanes manufactured by DuPont under the Adiprenetrademark and the like.

To the amine curable polymer or prepolymer, either in the form of filler160 or layer 140, is added a conventional amine curing agent known tothose skilled in the art and hereby incorporated by reference includingthe amount used as well as any solvents, especially polar solvents. Forexample MOCA, methylene dianiline and a salt, or the like can beutilized. Should the filler be gum rubber or other polymers,conventional curatives can be utilized in conventional amounts, as iswell known to the art.

Since the amine curable polymers or prepolymers as noted above arecurable at ambient temperatures, that is from about 10° C., to about 50°C. and preferably from about 15° C. to about 35° or 40° C., the patchcan be bonded to the elastomer article at ambient temperatures. In fact,when filler 160 is the desired amine curable polymer or prepolymer, itcan also be cured at ambient temperatures.

The repair construction or method set forth immediately above withregard to FIG. 1 can be utilized on various items such as a tire.Generally, large tires such as off the road tires which have been cut orhave a crack therein such that air is lost or are severely lacerated,require reinforcement. According to the present invention, such tirescan be repaired on the job site, in situ and at ambient temperature.That is no heat or mold is required. Accordingly, the tire does not haveto be taken to a nearby tire repair shop and thus less labor and timeare required to repair the injury. The repair of the present inventionhas also been found to abate and stop crack or cut propagation or growthas well as stop rocks and other foreign materials from penetrating intothe patch area.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the followingexample:

EXAMPLE I

The general preparation of the tire is as follows:

The center of the injury with regard to a large off the road tire islocated. The innerliner and tiegum layer down to the first body ply aswell as any other damaged body plies is removed. It is important toremove the damaged plies as well as the damaged area to prevent cutgrowth of the injury. Cut growth is defined as an increase in the sizeof the cut due to stress applied to the tire. To aid in removal of thedamaged cords, a pencil rod tungsten-carbide tool can be used. Theamount of non-damaged material removed is kept to a minimum. Next, thecavity created by removal of the damaged area including the body pliesis buffed if possible. Desirably, the patch to be installed should alsobe buffed as is the area about the cavity. The size of the patch islarger than the cavity. The cavity is then cleaned to remove the lasttraces of the buffing dust as by vacuuming, brushing or the like. Next,a clean Rymplecloth with acetone thereon is used to thoroughly clean thebuffed area. This procedure is repeated until only a faint graycoloration is observed on the Rymplecloth. The solvent cleaned area isthen allowed to dry. A treating agent, as described above, is applied tothe cavity, to the area about the cavity, to the patch, and permitted todry. The treating agent can be applied in a few coats in a suitablesolvent. After drying, an amine curable system is applied whichcomprises the two following compositions: The first composition contains150 grams of Adiprene L-367, 150 grams of Adiprene 42, 30 grams of 4G0,and 30 grams of acetone. The second composition contains approximately73 grams of Caytur 21. The two urethane compositions were thenthoroughly mixed and applied to the cavity to an extent that it wasessentially filled to the interior surface of the tire. The urethanesystem is also applied over the treated buffed area of the tire as wellas of the patch. The patch was then applied to the tire over the cavityarea, held in place by tape and a curing tube inside the tire, inflated,and allowed to dry at ambient temperature. After approximately 12-18hours at ambient temperature, the tape was removed and the tire placedback into service.

In accordance with the above general procedure, the following tires weretreated.

                  TABLE                                                           ______________________________________                                              BRAND              ORIGI-                                               TIRE  OF       PATCH     NAL    REPAIR RECENT                                 NO.   TIRE     SIZE      HOURS  HOURS  STATUS                                 ______________________________________                                        1     36.00 ×                                                                          12" × 12"                                                                         1653   5324   Removed                                      51                               Ply                                                                           Separation                             2     36.00 ×                                                                          14" × 14"                                                                          879   865    Redo patch                                   51                               Failed                                 3     36.00 ×                                                                          14" 33  14"                                                                             2784   744    Second                                       51                               rock cut in                                                                   tire                                   4     36.0 ×                                                                           18" × 18"                                                                         1408   625    Cut too                                      51                               large                                  5     36.00 ×                                                                          16" × 16"                                                                         2769   931    Second                                       51                               rock cut in                                                                   tire                                   6     36.00 ×                                                                          12" ×12"                                                                          1927   1123   Running                                      51                                                                      7     36.00 ×                                                                          12" × 12"                                                                         2271   1276   Running                                      51                                                                      8     36.00 ×                                                                          14" dia.  2660   540    Tread                                        51       (Round                  separation                                            Patch)                                                         ______________________________________                                    

In all cases, the removal of the tire was not due to failure of theadhesive or tire repair procedure of the present invention. Moreover, itis noted that the procedure of the present invention gave a verysurprising and unexpected result in that this procedure is opposite fromstandard tire repair practices. That is, it is steadfast and understoodby the industry that the whole tire must be repaired in order to make adurable repair.

As apparent from the Table, it can be seen that a tire repair having aninterior cavity as well as a patch thereover is very effective inrepairing the tire as well as stopping air leaks therein.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to an elastomerarticle having a hollow therein. A preformed elastomer plug resideswithin the hollow and is adhered thereto. This aspect of a plug repairof an elastomer article is also applicable to the above crack/cutembodiments wherein the crack/cut portion is a hollow having a crackextending into a reinforced area.

The elastomer article, generally indicated by the number 200, can be anyconventional elastomer or rubber known to art as well as to theliterature and typically has unsaturated groups therein. Thus, it can bemade from conjugated dienes having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms such asbutadiene, isoprene and the like. Various other elastomers can beutilized as set forth hereinabove and such are accordingly fullyincorporated by reference. Thus, styrene-butadiene rubber and the likecan be utilized.

Elastomer article 200 typically, but not necessarily, has reinforcement218 therein as in the form of cords, belts or the like. According to theembodiment of FIG. 3, hollow 210 generally does not extend into anyreinforcement area. In other words, hollow 210 generally resides withina "reinforcement free" portion of article 200. That is, the hollowgenerally resides solely within an elastomer portion of the article asshown in FIG. 3. Hollow 210 can be a gouge, a large cut, an opening andthe like and thus forms an exterior cavity in the elastomer portion ofthe article.

The injured or hollow area is usually cleaned to remove all foreigndebris, loose elastomer portions and the like. Cleaning can take placeby any number of abrasive methods as by buffing out the injured hollowarea making sure that all damaged portions are removed. The cleaningstep can also be utilized to shape the hollow into a desirable size orshape such that it can receive plug 225 therein. In order to yieldimproved results, the hollow area or volume thereof is substantiallyfilled by the plug. By substantially filled it is meant that at least 50percent of the hollow volume, desirably at least 70 percent, moredesirably at least 80 percent and preferrably at least 90 percent of thehollow volume is filled by plug 225. Plug 225 is a material which iscompatible with the elastomer article. That is, it is generally amaterial which has the same or similar physical properties as theelastomer portion of the article as for example modulus, elongation,elasticity, tensile strength, wear rate and the like. It thus can beobtained from a similar article.

It is an important aspect of the present invention that plug 220 bepreviously cured before insertion into hollow 210 and that it bepreformed. Since tires, e.g. sidewall areas and tread portions, conveyorbelts and the like are already cured, they form a very suitablepreformed plug source. Moreover, since they are obtained from a spent orused article, they are very economical. Generally and desirably, thepreformed plug is a soft rubber. That is, it has been found that rubberplugs generally having a lower modulus than the article are a good plugmaterial and extend the life of the repair. Any suitable material can beutilized such as a plug taken from another tire, for example an oldtire, or one which is tailor made from synthetic materials. By lowermodulus it is meant that the hardness of the rubber plug is usuallyless, although it can be higher, that is harder,than the hardness of therepair area, for example, a tire tread. Preferably, the modulus is lowerthan the repaired elastomer. In terms of Shore A hardness, the preformedplug has a hardness of from about 52 to about 85 and desirably fromabout 55 to about 65. Inasmuch as plug 225 is compatible with theelastomer article, it is generally of the same type of material as theelastomer as set forth herein above and hence is hereby fullyincorporated by reference. Thus, plug 225 can be an elastomer made fromconjugated dienes having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, natural rubber,copolymers of vinyl substituted aromatic compounds having from 8 to 12carbon atoms and conjugated dienes having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, andthe like. Examples of plug materials include polybutadiene, bothsynthetic and natural, polyisoprene, polypentadiene, nitrile polymers orcopolymers with butadiene or styrene, styrene-butadiene rubber, variousderivatives of styrene-butadiene rubber, and the like.

Various conventional curing agents in conventional amounts can beutilized to cure the rubber materials to form the preformed plug shouldit not already be cured. Such type of rubber polymers as well as curingagents are well known to the art as well as to the literature.Naturally, the preformed plugs can contain various additives thereinsuch as fillers, reinforcement agents such as carbon black,antioxidants, antiozonates, and the like, all as known to the art and tothe literature. Plug 225 can thus contain various conventional additivesin conventional amounts as utilized in a tire sidewall stock, a conveyorbelt, and the like. The plug can be made in different lengths and widthsby curing the various types of rubber required in a mold and thencutting or shaping the same into a desired final size as by buffingutilizing conventional equipment.

Regardless of the particular material utilized to form the preformedplug, the plug is generally more pliable and durable than the repairedelastomer and thus has been found to be generally retained in the hollowfor a much longer period of time than a non-elastomer plug. For thisreason, various urethanes as well as amine curable polymers orprepolymers as described hereinabove, are generally not desired as aplug material.

Once a suitable, compatible elastomer plug source is obtained, it is cutby any conventional method such as skiving to a shape and size whichsubstantially fills hollow 210. Foreign debris, loose particles, etc.are removed according to any conventional cleaning method such asthrough buffing, and the like. Next, both the interior portion of thehollow and the exterior portion of the plug are usually washed with asolvent. The solvent can be any conventional solvent including organicsolvents known to the art and to the literature. Suitable organicsolvents include acetone, ethyl acetate, and the like.

The use and application of a treating agent 230, an amine curablepolymer or prepolymer 240 containing a curing agent, etc., therein isgenerally as set forth hereinabove and hence will only be brieflydiscussed with the above discussion being hereby fully incorporated byreference. Treating agent 230 is thus applied to the hollow as well asto the plug to form a coating thereon. Suitable treating agents includethe various N-halohydantoins, the various N-haloamides, the variousN-haloimides, and combinations thereof, as set forth herein above andhereby fully incorporated by reference. Preferred treating agents 230include the various mono-, di-, or trichloroisocyanuric acids, orcombinations thereof. Trichloroisocyanuric acid is especially preferred.As noted above, since the treating agents usually exists in solid form,but are readily soluble in organic solvents such as acetone and thelike, they are generally disolved therein and applied in a solution.Application of the treating agent generally occurs at ambienttemperature and can be applied in any conventional manner as throughbrushing, spraying and the like. Preferrably, two or more coats of thetreating agents are applied to ensure that all the desired surfaces arecoated. The amount of solvent which is utilized is set forthhereinabove.

Once a treating agent has been applied and dried at ambient temperature,various amine curable polymers or prepolymers are applied to theinterior portion of hollow 200 as well as to exterior portion of plug225. The various amine polymers or prepolymers which act as an adhesiveand bond the plug to the treated elastomer article are set forthhereinabove and accordingly are hereby fully incorporated by reference.Desirably, such polymers or prepolymers are urethane. The amine curablepolymers or prepolymers generally contain conventional or known aminecuring agents therein such as MOCA, a complex of 4,4'-methylenedianilineand a salt, and the like. The equivalent weight of the curing agentutilized generally ranges from about 85 percent to about 115 percentwith from about 95 percent to 105 percent being preferred based upon theweight of the amine curable polymer or prepolymer. As also noted above,various plastimizers can be utilized with the curing agent. The polymeror prepolymer component is generally mixed with a polar solvent so thata liquid system is obtained and can be readily applied to plug 225 aswell as to hollow 200. The amount and type of polar solvents are setforth hereinabove and are accordingly fully incorporated by reference.

Once plug 225 as well as the interior portion of hollow 210 are coatedwith the mixture containing the amine curable polymer or prepolymer, theplug is inserted into the hollow. Naturally the amount of amine curablepolymer or prepolymer 240 is sufficient such that once plug 225 has beeninserted therein, substantially and preferrably all of the openings orchannels between the plug and the elastomer article are filled. The sizeand shape of plug 225 is furthermore such that upon insertion into thehollow, the top surface of the plug is desirably flush with the top orexterior surface of article 200.

Inasmuch as the amine curable polymer or prepolymer mixture is curableat ambient temperature, a strong bond will be formed between treatingagent layer 230 and elastomer plug 225. By the term ambient it is meantany temperature at which the repair is made. Since the repair can bemade in-situ, it will generally be made outdoors and hence is at thetemperature of the surrounding air. Inasmuch as very low temperaturesrequire too long of a cure time, they are not desired. An ambienttemperature is accordingly from about 10° C. to about 50° C. with apreferred temperature range being from about 15° C. to about 30° C. Therepair of the hollow according to the present embodiment of theinvention in occuring at ambient temperature is highly convenient aswell as easy and simple to conduct. Should the elastomer article be alarge off-the-road tire, the need to take the tire to a tire retread orrepair shop is eliminated. In many situations, the tire can be repairedon the rim with the tire rotated such that the hollow is located in theupper most portion or top position. The repair is very economical inthat it is made in-situ. Since a non-urethane or a non-amine polymer orprepolymer compound is utilized as the plug, improved properties areobtained such as increased durability.

According to the concepts of the present invention, preformed plug 225can be applied to various size hollows. For example, in the embodimentshown in FIG. 3, the cured plug is applied to a hollow which partiallyextends into the reinforcement free portion of the article. That is, itdoes not extend into the cords of the reinforced article. In theembodiment of FIG. 4, hollow 210 partially extends into thereinforcement area 218. The remaining structure, layers, etc. areotherwise the same as in the embodiment of FIG. 2 and hence will not berepeated but rather is hereby fully incorporated by reference. Thus, theembodiment of FIG. 4 will contain a plug 225, a treating agent layer 230thereon, an amine curable polymer or polymer layer 240, and anothertreating agent layer 230 coating the inside of the hollow. Generally,when the hollow extends into approximately 25% or less of thereinforcement area, an internal patch as utilized above with regard tothe embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, is not necessary. By the term 25% ofthe reinforcement area, it is meant that the hollow has severed lessthan 25% of the total number of reinforcing cords in the hollow area.However, when the hollow generally extends in excess of 25% into thereinforcement area, a patch 250 is added to the interior portion of thearticle in the vicinity of the hollow. In this embodiment, that is FIG.5, the hollow has severed generally greater than 25% of the existingcords. Accordingly, preformed plug 225 is applied in the manner as setforth above. That is, the hollow is cleaned as by skiving, buffing orthe like. An appropriate treating agent 230 is applied to the walls ofthe hollow. Preformed elastomer plug 225 coated with treating agent 230is then applied to the hollow and adhered to article 200 through the useof an ambient temperature cure amine polymer or prepolymer which fillsthe opening or channels between the plug and the article. In order tostrengthen the article, an interior patch 250 is also applied. To ensuregood adhesion of patch 250 to article 200, treating agent 230 is appliedto the interior surface of the article in the vicinity of the hollow.Treating agent 230 is also applied to one side of patch 250. The aminecurable polymer or prepolymer 240 is then applied to the treating agentresiding on the interior portion of the article and to the treated sideof patch 250. The patch is then applied to the interior portion of thearticle. Cure occurs at ambient temperature. As noted above, patch 250has reinforcing cords therein. The strength of patch 250 to the interiorportion of the article is generally at least equivalent to the strengthof the severed cords and desirably stronger than the severed cords. Theapplication of patch 250 to the interior portion of the article isgenerally the same as set forth hereinabove with regard to FIGS. 1 and 2and accordingly the description thereof is hereby fully incorporated byreference including preparation of the interior surface as by buffing,and the like.

In the event that hollow 210 extends entirely through the reinforcedarticle as in FIG. 6, the preformed plug 225 applied thereto can alsoextend through the entire article. The application of the plug inembodiment 6 as is set forth hereinabove. By way of a brief summary, thehollow is cleaned as described above, and treated agent 230 appliedthereto. A preformed plug 225 is then sized, buffed, cleaned, coatedwith treating agent 230, coated with an amine curable polymer orprepolymer, and inserted into the treated hollow. Additional aminecurable polymer or prepolymer 240 is then inserted into the openingabout plug 225 as needed and allowed to cure at ambient temperature.Once again, the result is a soft pliable plug which has good adhesion toarticle 200. Since hollow 210 extends entirely through article 200, apatch 250 is utilized in the interior portion of the article. Theapplication of the patch and various components thereof is as set forthabove with regard to FIG. 5 and hence will not be repeated. The strengthof patch 250 which has reinforcing cords therein is desirably at leastequal to the strength of severed cords 218 and desirably is stronger.Alternatively, the patch can be applied in a conventional manner, thatis, not utilizing treating agent 230 or the amine curable polymer orprepolymer 240 of the present invention.

Regardless of the method of repair, that is whether or not the injuryextends into the reinforcement area, the important aspect of the presentinvention is the utilization of a cured preformed plug of a size andshape substantially conforming to the configuration of the hollow.Inasmuch as a compatible material is utilized, increased durability isgenerally obtained. Moreover, as apparent from the drawings, plug 225 isgenerally wider at the top than at the bottom. This is because mostarticle gouges or openings (hollows) have a larger opening at theexterior portion of the article than at the interior portion. Thepreformed, solid plug is thus generally tapered inward toward theinterior portion of the article.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the followingexample.

EXAMPLE II

A 36.00×51 Super Rock Grip Deep Tread tire (Firestone) having an 8" longand 2"-3" deep cut in the center of the tire tread at about a 5 degreeangle to the circumference was utilized. The tire was in service on a170 ton dump truck. At the time of the repair the tire was in use 2,493hours. Typically tire life at the same location, a mine in Montana, wasabout 10,000 hours. The ply rating of the injured tire was 50 plys. Theinjury was buffed out using a 4" cone rasp. Sixteen grit surface withcare being taken so that all damaged areas were removed, that is tracesof the cut. The hollow after buffing was 9" long, 3" deep and about 7/8"in width. The hollow did not extend into the ply layer. A plug was madeby cutting a piece from the sidewall of a scrap tire. The shape of theplug was approximately 8" long, 21/2" deep, 1/2" in width at the toptappering to approximately 1/4" in width at the bottom. The rubber plugwhich contained no reinforcement therein was buffed. The tire hollow andthe rubber plug were then throughly washed with acetone. The surfaceswere allowed to thoroughly dry and then 3 coats of a 3 percent solutionof trichloro-s-triazinetrione were brushed on to all of the buffed andwashed surfaces of the tire hollow and the plug and allowed to dry. A50/50 polyurethane bonding mixture consisting of 150 gm of AdipreneL-367 (approximately 6.5% NCO), 150 gm of Adiprene L-42 (approximately4.2% NCO), 30 gm of 4GO and 30 gm of acetone mixed with 73 gm of Caytur21 was made and coated onto the surface of the rubber plug and then werealso coated. The plug was then inserted into the cavity. The plug washeld in place by use of duct tape. A heating pad was used to maintainthe temperature at ambient conditions, i.e. less than 110° F., and tofacilitate an even cure rate. The repair was allowed to cure 16-18 hoursin this manner. After the required cure time, the damaged area wasrepaired. The tire was placed back into service and the repair was stillin good shape, after the tire had run 1188 hours. The tire is stillrunning.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, a preferred embodiment andbest mode have been set forth, various modifications thereof can be madewithout the parting from the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the breath of the present invention is measured by thescope of the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A repaired elastomer article; comprising:the elastomer article, said article being cured and having a hollow therein, a treating agent, said treating agent coating said hollow; a cured and preshaped elastomer plug, said cured and preshaped elastomer plug being free from an amine curable polymer or prepolymer and residing within said hollow; a channel in said hollow, said channel existing between said plug and said article; an amine curable polymer or prepolymer, said amine curable polymer or prepolymer substantially filling said channel; and, said amine curable polymer or prepolymer cured to said elastomer plug and to said article at ambient temperature.
 2. A repaired elastomer article according to claim 1, wherein said elastomer article contains reinforcement therein, wherein said treating agent is selected from the group consisting of an N-halohydantoin, an N-haloamide, an N-haloimide, and combinations thereof, and wherein said ambient temperature range is from about 10° C. to about 50° C.
 3. A repaired elastomer article accordingly to claim 2, wherein the volume of said plug is at least 50 percent of the volume of said hollow, wherein said plug has a shore A hardness of from about 52 to about 85, and wherein said amine curable polymer or prepolymer is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy resin, a halogen-containing hydrocarbon polymer, a chlorosulfonated polymer, a polymer containing an acid halide group such as ##STR3## or haloformate group such as ##STR4## a polymer containing anhydride groups which on reaction with a diamine, yield an amide-acid linkage, an organopolysiloxane, a urethane polymer or prepolymer, and combinations thereof.
 4. A repaired elastomer article according to claim 3, wherein said plug contains a coating of said treating agent thereon, and wherein said treating agent is selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dichloro-5-5-dimethyl hydantoin; 1,3-dichloro-5-isobutyl hydantoin; 1,3-dichloro-5-methyl-5-hexyl hydantoin; N-bromoacetamide; tetrachloroglycoluril; N-bromosuccinimide, and mono-, di-, or trichloroisocyanuric acid.
 5. A repaired elastomer article according to claim 4, wherein said plug is at least 70 percent by volume of said hollow volume, wherein said treating agent is selected from the group consisting of monochloroisocyanuric acid, dichloroisocyanuric acid, trichloroisocyanuric acid, and combinations thereof, and wherein said amine curable polymer or prepolymer is an urethane polymer or prepolymer.
 6. A reinforced elastomer article according to claim 5, wherein said elastomer plug has a Shore A hardness of from about 55 to about
 65. 7. A tire having an exterior surface repair therein of the composition of claim 1 wherein said hollow exists in a reinforcement free portion of a tire.
 8. A tire having an exterior surface repair therein of the composition of claim 5 wherein said hollow exists in a reinforcement free portion of a tire.
 9. A tire having an exterior surface repair therein of the composition of claim 1 wherein said hollow extends into a reinforcement portion of a tire and wherein a cured elastomer patch exists on the interior portion of said tire in the vicinity of said hollow.
 10. A tire having an exterior surface repair therein of the composition of claim 5 wherein said hollow extends into a reinforcement portion of a tire and wherein a cured elastomer patch exists on the interior portion of said tire in the vicinity of said hollow.
 11. A repaired elastomer article; comprising:the elastomer article, said elastomer article having a hollow therein, said hollow residing in an elastomer portion of said article; a cured preformed plug, said preformed plug comprising a compatible material with said elastomer article, said cured preformed plug being free from an amine curable polymer or prepolymer and substantially filling said hollow: a channel in said hollow, said channel formed between said plug and said article, a treating agent, said treating agent coating at least said hollow; an amine curable polymer or prepolymer, said amine curable polymer or prepolymer residing in said channel and bonding said plug to said article at ambient temperature.
 12. A repaired elastomer article according to claim 11, wherein the volume said preformed cured plug is at least 50 percent of the volume of said hollow, and wherein said plug has a coating of said treating agent thereon.
 13. A repaired elastomer article article according to claim 12, wherein said treating agent is selected from the group consisting of a N-haloimide, a N-halohydantoin, a N-haloamide, and combinations thereof, and wherein said amine curable polymer or prepolymer is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy resin, a halogen-containing hydrocarbon polymer, a chlorosulfonated polymer, a polymer containing an acid halide group such as ##STR5## or haloformate group such as ##STR6## a polymer containing anhydride groups which in reaction with diamine yield an amide-acid linkage, an organopolysiloxane, a urethane polymer or prepolymer, and combinations thereof.
 14. A repaired elastomer article according to claim 13, wherein said elastomer article contains reinforcement therein, wherein said ambient bond temperature is from about 10° to about 50° C., and wherein said treating agent is selected from a group consisting of monochloroisocyanuric acid, dichloroisocyanuric acid, trichloroisocyanuric acid, wherein said polymer or prepolymer is said urethane polymer or prepolymer, and combinations hereof, and wherein the volume of said plug is at least 70° percent of the volume of said hollow.
 15. A tire having an exterior surface repair of the composition of claim 11 wherein said hollow exists in a reinforcement free portion of a tire.
 16. A tire having an exterior surface repair of the composition of claim 14 wherein said hollow exists in a reinforcement free portion of a tire.
 17. A tire having an exterior surface repair of the composition of claim 11 wherein a hollow extends into a reinforcement area of a tire and wherein a cured elastomer patch is located on the interior portion of said tire in the vicinity of said hollow.
 18. A tire having an exterior surface repair of the composition of claim 14 wherein said hollow extends into a reinforcement area of a tire and wherein a cured elastomer patch is located on the interior portion of said tire in the vicinity of said hollow. 